1600 vs 1300 : discuss

[Richard Fridd]

'Vanity feels no pain', the Fanalone 'skeletal' seats were my preference when equipping my 860kg 1300Z.However not everyone's 'cup of tea', as I couldn't sell the seats once surplus to requirements for 75 quid each, until a local Abarth enthusiast bought the pair. Worth building a car to accomodate them I think. Regarding Fulvia trackday mods, altering camber is a potentially FOC job (for anyone with access to welding facilities) which yields good results, and erradicates undignified squealing sounds whilst taking a corner.

[lancialulu]

Regarding Fulvia trackday mods, altering camber is a potentially FOC job (for anyone with access to welding facilities) which yields good results, and erradicates undignified squealing sounds whilst taking a corner.

But note the neg camber set up only really works with the offset 6J wheels. You still get squeal (as I found out) if you use skinny 5.5J wheels!

[Richard Fridd]

I am glad you mentioned that Tim, as I must have altered camber at the same time as changing to the 6Js. Is it the width or the offset which is important? Also I rather liked the GTA doorhandles on my old orange one

[stanley sweet]

The seating postion is a little different between the Z and the coupe. I bought Richards Z 'JLG' and fitted a Sparco Sprint seat (which is wider than most and comfy for me). I had taken it from my coupe. The main difference I found was that when I sprinted or did a trackday in the coupe I had plenty of space above my head even with a helmet on. In the Z it took a bit longer to get 'fitted in'. I'm 6' 1" and the top of the helmet would be against the roof. I'd slide myself down a bit in the seat to give my head a bit of wiggle room. It was no great problem but that was the difference I found. In fact, had I kept it and had the skills to turn it into an out and out Competizione replica I might even have put a slight blister in the roof. Over the years of European touring in my coupe I've always found it a very cool car (in all ways!) even in the hottest weather. My brother said the same just last week when we went out and it was mid 30's. It's hard to describe but it's as though the roof is more of a sunshade that a roof. Even better with the little rear quarterlights open.

[lancialulu]

I am glad you mentioned that Tim, as I must have altered camber at the same time as changing to the 6Js. Is it the width or the offset which is important? Also I rather liked the GTA doorhandles on my old orange one

I believe it is the offset that is critical to great handling of the neg camber set up. Tim